Executive Summary:
This document presents the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4114 regarding the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Gross Completion Ratio (GCR) in higher education. It details the GER for 2022-23, scholarships and financial aid programs for socially disadvantaged groups, and measures to improve access to higher education, especially in underserved areas. A key initiative is increasing the GER to 50 by 2035, as envisioned by the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
Key Points / Main Content:
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Gross Completion Ratio (GCR):
* The National GER for higher education is 29.5 as per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2022-23 (Provisional).
* State-wise, gender-wise, and social category-wise GER and pass-out details are available online.
Scholarships and Financial Aid Programs:
* The government implements various scholarships and fellowships to promote access to higher education, especially for socially disadvantaged groups.
* Key programs include:
* Ministry of Education: Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PMUSP) with its four components, Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PMVidyalaxmi), Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF).
* University Grants Commission (UGC): Ishan Uday, National scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies, UGC National Eligibility Test Junior Research Fellowship NETJRF, Savitribai Jyotirao Phule single girl child fellowship.
* All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE): Various scholarship schemes including AICTE PostGraduate PG Scholarship Scheme, AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme, AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme, AICTE SWANATH Scholarship Scheme, AICTE Doctoral Fellowship ADF, AICTE Sarswati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students BBA, BCA BMS Degree, AICTE Yashasvi Young Achievers Scholarship and Holistic Academic Skills Venture Initiative Scheme 2024, AICTE PostDoctoral Fellowship PDF
* Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: Post Matric Scholarship Schemes for SC, OBC, EBC, DNT students, Top Class Education in Colleges for OBC, EBC, DNT students, Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers (SHREYAS) for SCs.
* Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Post Matric Scholarship for ST students, National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students, Top Class National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students, National Overseas Scholarship for ST students.
* Ministry of Science and Technology: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN).
* North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region: Financial Support to the Students of North Eastern Region (NER).
Initiatives to Increase GER and Improve Access:
* National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to increase GER in higher education to 50% by 2035.
* Initiatives include:
* Opening new Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
* Implementing scholarship and fellowship schemes.
* Allowing well-performing HEIs to offer Open Distance Learning/Online Programmes.
* Providing flexibility and exit/re-entry options in the higher education system.
* Allowing simultaneous pursuit of two academic programs.
* Permitting two admission cycles per year.
* Providing online learning opportunities through SWAYAM platform.
* Conducting entrance exams (JEE, NEET, CUET) in 13 languages and providing textbooks in Indian languages.
* Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme to provide textbooks in 22 Indian languages in digital format.
Impact Analysis:
Students:
* Impact: Increased access to higher education through various scholarships, flexible learning options, and multi-lingual support.
* Action Required: Explore available scholarship opportunities and utilize resources like SWAYAM for enhanced learning.
Socially Disadvantaged Groups (SC/ST/OBC/EBC/DNT):
* Impact: Targeted financial assistance and support to improve representation and success in higher education.
* Action Required: Apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships offered by various ministries.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):
* Impact: Opportunity to expand reach through open and online learning programs; need to adapt to flexible entry/exit options and multi-lingual education.
* Action Required: Implement NEP 2020 guidelines, offer online programs, and provide support for students from diverse backgrounds.
Central and State Governments:
* Impact: Shared responsibility for improving the educational status and GER/GCR.
* Action Required: Collaborate to implement NEP 2020, establish new HEIs, and monitor the effectiveness of scholarship programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The central government ministry responsible for education in India, overseeing higher education policies and initiatives.
Gross Enrolment Ratio: A key metric in education, representing the total enrolment in higher education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the eligible official school-age population corresponding to the same level of education in a given school year.
University Grants Commission: A statutory body established by the Indian government to coordinate, determine and maintain standards of university education in India.
All India Council for Technical Education: A statutory body and a national-level council for technical education under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
National Education Policy 2020: A comprehensive framework for education in India aimed at transforming the education system by 2040 with focus on increasing GER.
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan: A comprehensive scheme by the Ministry of Education with multiple components aimed at promoting higher education through financial assistance like scholarships and interest subsidies on education loans.
Jammu and Kashmir: A region and a union territory of India located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. Included in PMUSP scheme to promote higher education.
Ladakh: A region and a union territory of India located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. Included in PMUSP scheme to promote higher education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4114
ANSWERED ON-18/08/2025
GER/GCR for Higher Education
4114. Shri G Kumar Naik:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Gross Completion Ratio (GCR) for higher education across the
country, State-wise, gender-wise and social category-wise;
(b) the details of scholarships and financial aid programmes available to promote access to higher education,
particularly for students from socially disadvantaged groups;
(c) whether the Government has taken any measures or initiatives to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio and
Gross Completion Ratio in order to improve the access of higher education, especially in under-served areas;
and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2022-23(Provisional), National Gross
Enrolment Ratio (GER) is 29.5. The State-wise, gender-wise and social category-wise GER and Out-
turn/Pass out are available at https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl_ques .
(b): Government is implementing various Scholarships and Fellowships to promote access to higher
education for students including students from socially disadvantaged groups. The details of schemes are as
under:
1. Ministry of Education
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) with 4 components:
a) PM-USP Central Sector Interest Subsidy (PM-USP CSIS)
b) PM-USP Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loan (PM-USP CGFSEL)
c) PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (PM-
USP CSSS)
d) PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (PM-USP SSS
JKL)
Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PM-Vidyalaxmi)
Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF)2. University Grants Commission (UGC):
Ishan Uday special scholarship schemes for NER
National scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies
UGC National Eligibility Test -Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF)
Savitribai Jyotirao Phule single girl child fellowship
3. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) :
AICTE Post-Graduate (PG) Scholarship Scheme
AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme Specially for Girls (Degree & Diploma)
AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Boys & Girls (Degree & Diploma)
AICTE – SWANATH Scholarship Scheme for Students for students who lost parents during
COVID (Degree & Diploma)
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF)
AICTE Sarswati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (BBA, BCA & BMS Degree)
AICTE Yashasvi (Young Achievers’ Scholarship and Holistic Academic Skills Venture Initiative)
Scheme 2024.
AICTE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF)
4. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC
Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC, EBC and DNT students
Top Class Education in Colleges for OBC, EBC and DNT students
Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers (SHREYAS) for Scheduled Castes (SCs)
comprising of comprises of 4 sub-Schemes namely
a) Top-Class Scholarship Scheme for SC students (TCS)
b) Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme (FCS)
c) National Overseas Scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes etc. (NOS) and
d) National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste students (NFSC).
5. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Post Matric Scholarship for ST students
National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)
National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students
National Overseas Scholarship for ST students.
6. Ministry of Science and Technology
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)”
Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’
WISE-Post Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF)
WISE-Societal Challenges with Opportunities (WISE-SCOPE) programmes
7. North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Financial Support to the Students of North Eastern Region (NER) for Higher Professional Courses
(NER Merit Scholarship)(c) & (d): Education is in Concurrent List of the Constitution and majority of the Higher Education
Institutions are in the domain of the respective States. The Centre and States together endeavour to uplift the
educational status of the students of the country, especially in the under-served areas and the disadvantaged
communities. Some of the initiatives of Central Government are as under:
National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) envisages increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
in Higher Education including vocational education, to 50% by 2035 and the Government has taken various
measures to increase the GER in Higher Education, which inter-alia include:
i) Opening of more HEIs - Since 2014-15, 8 Central Universities, 7 IITs, 8 IIMs and 16 IIITs
have been newly established.
ii) Implementing various Scholarship and Fellowship schemes for providing financial assistance
to students, including for SC/ST/OBC and Minority students and underserved regions.
iii) Allowing well performing HEIs (based on NAAC and NIRF ranking) by University Grants
Commission (UGC) to offer full Open Distance Learning/Online Programmes based on quality
parameters.
iv) Providing much-needed flexibility and appropriate Exit as well Re-entry options in the Higher
Education system, to facilitate students to choose their learning trajectory.
v) Allow pursuing two Academic Programmes simultaneously.
vi) Permitting HEIs for two admission cycles in an academic year.
vii) Providing anytime, anywhere learning opportunities for all learners through Study Webs for
Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) platform, which provides high
quality structured online courses in multiple disciplines.
viii) Permitting up to 40% credits in regular courses using SWAYAM platform.
ix) Conducting JEE, NEET (UG) and Common University Entrance Test (CUET) Exams in 13
languages, to facilitate students and making available Text Books in Indian Languages to
facilitate students, particularly from vernacular/rural background.
x) To promote multilingual education, the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, as per the Budget
announcement 2025–26, has been envisaged to provide textbooks across various school and
higher education subjects in 22 Indian languages in digital format over the next three years.
Initiatives of the Government has resulted in increase of GER to 29.5 in 2022-23 (Provisional) from
23.7 in 2014-15.
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